Interview with Debut Author Anitra Rowe Schulte

Happy Thursday Critters! Can you believe we’ve made it to December?! Today we have an interview with debut picture book author Anitra Rowe Schulte, who I’m thrilled to be featuring on Critter Lit! Not only is she a fellow Two Lions author who I share an editor with, but her debut picture book has received glowing and starred reviews and was just named a best book of 2021 by Kirkus Reviews. So exciting! Anitra’s book, DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, is a truly spectacular debut and one that is not to be missed!

So without further ado, please welcome Anitra Rowe Schulte!

Where do you live?

I live in Geneva, Illinois, which is 30 miles west of Chicago, where suburbia ends and pumpkin patches begin.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

When I was in kindergarten, I joined my first writer’s group at my local elementary school. At the Young Authors Club, I worked on developing ideas and turning them into picture books. I was hooked! There were lots of clues along the way, leading me back to this first love, but I really started working on my craft seriously about five years ago, in 2016.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

My road to publication was a little windy at first. As I was learning the craft, I played around and experimented a lot. But the stories that always seemed to connect most with others were those inspired by emotions and experiences that I lived through first-hand. I met my agent, Stephanie Hansen, at a live pitch session in 2017. The story that I pitched her that day never sold, but it jumpstarted a wonderful relationship. After a kidlit author friend suggested that I lean into telling my family’s story, I gave that a go and found it to be so natural and powerful! My debut, DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, is very much based on my family life. That story went on submission in 2018 and sold within a couple of months. I cannot say enough good things about my editor, Kelsey Skea, and the Two Lions team! The entire experience has been a total dream come true.

Can you share a bit about your process?

For me, a new idea usually arrives unexpectedly, like a colorful string just outside my door. I pick it up and twirl it around a bit, to see what it wants to be. Then, with an idea in my mind, I start pulling that string. I pull and pull and loop and weave until something starts to take shape. I will not stop until I run out of string or hit a nasty snag. Most of the time, I’m writing at my kitchen table. But if the string is still coming while I’m out driving my daughters to therapy or soccer or piano, I will not hesitate to write in parking garages, parking lots or someone’s driveway. My laptop never leaves my side! 

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I am in three critique groups, and one of the things that keeps me from getting stuck is sharing stories with these three groups in separate waves. I send my first polished draft to one group. When the story is a little further along, I’ll send it to the second group. When it’s close to polished and final, I’ll send it to the third group. That way, I’m always inching a story forward, toward becoming the best story it can be, but also getting fresh eyes at every step along the way. 

I get a lot of new ideas from my three daughters and from tuning into the things that I love and make me tick. I also received great advice at a writing conference once: To think of something that you really want to impart or share with someone in your life. I’ve found that concepts conceived in this way have a built-in audience and point of view and an emotional clarity that never wavers – a true north.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Black coffee or green tea and peanut butter spoons topped with mini M&Ms. If you’ve never tried this, I warn you: It’s life changing and dangerously good. 

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

So many! I love picture books by Margarita Engle, Kelly DiPucchio, Pat Zietlow Miller, and Kelly Starling Lyons. They always choose the perfect and most-poignant words and grab hold of your heart. I also love everything that illustrators Marla Frazee, Cindy Derby, Corinna Luyken, and Sophie Blackall create. 

Dream project to work on?

There is a middle grade story inside me, about small-town life, sister bonds, and magical circumstances that I keep noodling. I’d love to figure that story out. There is so much I want to say about what it’s like growing up with big dreams, hungry for an artistic outlet, all the while wrestling with a love + disdain for the isolating endless rows of corn and soybeans. It keeps swirling in the grain bins of my mind. Someday…  

Tell us about your debut book.

When my husband Dan was about to take our three girls to a father-daughter dance, I started imagining what the night would be like. The story that resulted was DANCING WITH DADDY. The main character of the story is inspired by my oldest daughter, who has a chromosome deletion (4p-), which is called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. After years of checking out library books, and not finding any PBs with characters that reminded me of our family, I decided to write something that I wanted to see on the shelves. Here’s the story summary:

Elsie can’t wait to go to her first father-daughter dance. She picked out the perfect dress and has been practicing swirling and swaying in her wheelchair. Elsie’s heart pirouettes as she prepares for her special night. With gestures, smiles, and words from a book filled with pictures, she shares her excitement with her family. But when a winter storm comes, she wonders if she’ll get the chance to spin and dance her way to a dream come true.

Interior Art from DANCING WITH DADDY by Anitra Rowe Schulte, Illustrated by Ziyue Chen, published by Two Lions

Interior Art from DANCING WITH DADDY by Anitra Rowe Schulte, Illustrated by Ziyue Chen, published by Two Lions

Interior Art from DANCING WITH DADDY by Anitra Rowe Schulte, Illustrated by Ziyue Chen, published by Two Lions

What’s up next for you?

My second picture book, WILLOW AND BUNNY, illustrated by Christopher Denise, will be released in Fall 2022. I’ve seen sketches and a few pieces of final art, and it is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Christopher captures the mood with such gravity and tenderness. WILLOW AND BUNNY, a story about a small bunny and a protective willow tree, is inspired by the scary moments that thrust people under the same canopy, and how difficult it can be to find light on the other side of devastation. With friendship, love and courage, we can make it through tough times – it’s a message that I really wanted to convey to my children, and I hope other readers feel it in their hearts, as well. 

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

This is a real toss up – it’s gotta be either Muppets Take Manhattan or Footloose. I’ve watched each of them at least 50 times. I’ve always been a real Kermit lover (he was on my 4-year-old birthday cake), and I love all the over-the-top characters and dance numbers. This probably why I also love Footloose. Plus Kevin Bacon.

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Huge thank you to Anitra for stopping by Critter Lit! Congrats on your fantastic debut! We can’t wait for WILLOW AND BUNNY!

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Anitra Rowe Schulte is a children’s book writer, whose picture book debut DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen (Two Lions) publishes on Dec. 1, 2021. Her second picture book WILLOW AND BUNNY, illustrated by Christopher Denise (Two Lions) is set for Fall 2022. Anitra is a proud member of the 2021 debut group PB Debut Troupe 21 and the upcoming group PB Tales of 2022. Anitra is represented by Stephanie Hansen of Metamorphosis Literary Agency. She lives in Geneva, Illinois, with her husband, three daughters, and super-sweet kitty Pancake. Anitra is an active member of SCBWI and 12x12 and a 2021 PBChat mentor.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Anitra online at www.anitraroweschulte.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @anitraschulte

Instagram: @anitraroweschulte

BUY THIS BOOK To order Anitra’s book, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of DANCING WITH DADDY?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, December 9th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Shaunda Wenger

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a fantastic interview with a debut author whose new book CHICKEN FRANK, DINOSAUR!, illustrated by Jojo Ensslin, just released this month with Albert Whitman. I LOVE the premise of this book— it’s such a fantastic idea and so well executed!

So without further ado, please welcome Shaunda Wenger!

Where do you live?

I live in Northern Utah in a place called Cache Valley that offers mountain views in all directions.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

In elementary school one of my teachers introduced our class to book-making. She brought us through the creation of our own books. We developed our story ideas, created first and final drafts with illustrations, and then bound the whole book together with stitching between cardboard covers that were decorated with wallpaper. Before that experience I had never thought about how books (which I loved!) were written and created. I became hooked and started making my own books at home. I still have a couple of them.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

It began about 25 years ago when an author Jim Fergus reached out while I was finishing my MS at Colorado State University. He wanted someone to collaborate with him on a natural history guide of Rocky Mountain National Park, and I had spent 2 years doing research there. Although Jim eventually stepped away from that project to focus on One Thousand White Women, the spark for publication had been reignited by writing for him and receiving his praise and encouragement. I went on to find Utah writing events led by the late Rick Walton and Carol Lynch Williams, as well as SCBWI. Over the years I took classes, attended conferences, and developed an appreciation for the friendships I made along the way. Currently I’m associated with four major groups: SCBWI, Julie Hedlund’s PB 12x12, Bethany Hegedus’s The Writing Barn, and WIFYR, which continue to offer education and support. I’ve had articles, poems, and stories published in the educational market, and even ventured into self-publishing when ebooks became popular. In 2019 a submission opportunity through a writing event with my Utah/Idaho chapter of SCBWI captured the interest of an editor at Albert Whitman, and the rest fell into place.

Can you share a bit about your process?

Each day I schedule my writing time based on the list of chores or work that needs to get done. Based on the length of that list, I decide how much time I’ll put toward writing in the morning. Depending on how well the muse is cooperating, the to-do list might get truncated. Aside from my hours dedicated to teaching, my writing time has become the priority. Chores and to-do’s come second. Getting dinner on the table (now that I’m an empty nester), third. As for writing, I often start with a mental image. Chicken Frank, Dinosaur! started with a funny image from Jack Horner’s Ted Talk video about the connection between birds and dinosaurs. Once I have an idea, I decide on setting and the type of feeling it evokes. Then I focus on character—what the character wants and what obstacles stand in the way of getting it. Lastly, free-writing allows voice to emerge. Once I have the initial scenes down, I let the story sit for a few days before coming back to finish it. Feedback from critique partners over a several month period refines the story even more until I feel it’s ready to submit. 

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Any sort of outdoor activity helps: walking, gardening, hiking, floating on a lake in summer…. Because I love the outdoors, getting myself moving outside clears my mind, rejuvenates my spirit, and opens the way for creative ideas to flow.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

A notebook and pen. Although I type my manuscripts and their revisions in the computer, nearly all of my drafts begin with initial lines and thoughts written down on paper.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

There are many authors and illustrators whom I admire, but those that come to mind today include: Beth Ferry, Bethany Hegedus, Jackie Azua Kramer, Juana Martinez-Neal, Kathi Appelt, Katherine Applegate, Carol Lynch Williams, Dianne White, Adam Rex, Jon Klassen, Kevin Hawkes, and the late Rick Walton.

Dream project to work on?

I’m not sure! Perhaps one that seamlessly flows from inspirational spark to finding itself in book-form in the hands of readers—and in record time! 

Tell us about your debut book.

Chicken Frank, Dinosaur! is a quirky tale with a STEM foundation in which Chicken Frank tries to convince his barnyard friends that he really is a dinosaur. But no one believes him. When DNA results inspire Frank to have a reunion with alligators, his friends fear he may become a tasty chicken nugget. Surprisingly, Frank’s quest for relatives doesn’t end there. In fact, he’s inspired to connect with others that may be equally fearsome. Chicken Frank, Dinosaur! offers a humorous introduction to evolution, extinction, and scientific debate while showing that friendship and family can be found in unexpected places. 

What’s up next for you? 

I’m continuing to write new stories all the time and remain hopeful that one will capture the interest of a publisher. I also look forward to connecting with readers and other writers in both virtual and in-person visits at schools, festivals, and conferences.  

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Hands down: The Goonies. To this day, it still entertains.

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Huge thank you to Shaunda for stoping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your fantastic debut!

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SHAUNDA WENGER, writing as S.K. Wenger, grew up among the mountains and lakes of New Hampshire and then found another beautiful backdrop in Utah to raise three children with her husband. Holding a master’s degree in science and numerous adventures in the outdoors, Shaunda loves weaving STEM and humor into her stories and classroom. She strives to create stories that leave readers wanting to step out into the world knowing who they are and what they like, with a renewed interest in going where their curiosities lead them. She is the winner of the 2020 Fellowship Grant from the Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Conference for a middle grade manuscript, A SONG BY ANY MEASURE, and is excited for the publication of her debut children’s picture book, Chicken Frank, Dinosaur! (Albert Whitman). Illustrated by Jojo Ensslin, which released on October 1, 2021.

FOR MORE INFO about Shaunda’s work, visit her online: www.skwenger.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @SKWenger 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SKWengerChildrensAuthor

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of Shaunda’s book, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of CHICKEN FRANK, DINOSAUR! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 14th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Rebecca Kraft Rector

Happy Thursday Critters! This week we have an interview with author Rebecca Kraft Rector! Her newest picture book, SQUISH SQUASH SQUISHED, illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte just came out with Nancy Paulson Books in February. I’m thrilled to have Rebecca with us today to talk about her new book and her road to publication.

So without further ado, please welcome Rebecca Kraft Rector!

Where do you live?

I live in Tidewater Virginia. I grew up in Maryland and have also lived in Georgia and Florida.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I’ve always been a voracious reader and have been writing stories and poems since I was a child. I delighted (?) my friends with stories about fleas on a dog and a girl who was a strawberry. I love horses and wrote many horse stories. It wasn't until I worked with fellow librarian and author Mary Downing Hahn that I realized that real people could have their stories published.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

My first publications were in magazines, followed by a slush pile acceptance of my middle grade science fiction novel TRIA AND THE GREAT STAR RESCUE with Delacorte Random House. When my later novels and picture books were rejected, I started writing for educational publishers and had about 25 fiction and nonfiction leveled readers published. Finally, at a Highlights Foundation workshop, SQUISH SQUASH SQUASHED attracted the attention of Cecilia Yung who showed it to Nancy Paulsen who agreed to publish it. Nancy Paulsen Books is an imprint of Penguin Random House. I also acquired an agent as a result of the Highlights workshop and she sold my forthcoming picture book LITTLE RED WRITING HOOD to Aladdin/Simon & Schuster.

Can you share a bit about your process?

I’m trying to streamline my process, but at the moment it’s write, revise, revise, revise, let it sit, revise, revise, revise, repeat endlessly. My ideal process would be to know up front the best character, goal, and conflict, in order for the story to resonate with emotion, theme or takeaway. But for now, my writing process is also a discovery process.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Read, take a walk, listen to people and kids.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Dark chocolate chips.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Almost every author I read is an inspiration. Some for humor, some for heart, some for structure, and most for fun.

Dream project to work on?

It would be wonderful to interest a publisher in one of my picture book or middle grade horse stories.

Tell us about your debut picture book.

SQUISH SQUASH SQUISHED is about Max and Molly who complain about not having enough room in the back seat of their gracious-spacious automobile. Their mother invites animal friends to ride along until the kids really are squish squash squished. The book is filled with wordplay, refrains, and animal noises. I had a great time writing it and I hope it becomes a popular read-aloud to share with children.

Interior art from SQUISH SQUASH SQUISHED by Rebecca Kraft Rector, illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte

Interior art from SQUISH SQUASH SQUISHED by Rebecca Kraft Rector, illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte

What’s up next for you?

I’m working on companion stories for SQUISH SQUASH SQUISHED and LITTLE RED WRITING HOOD, as well as other picture books. I’m also on my five hundredth draft of a middle grade fantasy.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Back to the Future.

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Huge thank you to Rebecca for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut picture book! We can’t wait to read your next book!

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REBECCA KRAFT RECTOR is a retired librarian and the author of more than thirty fiction and nonfiction books for children. Her cats Ollie and Opal keep her company while she writes. When she isn’t writing and eating chocolate, she’s trying to keep deer out of her garden.

SQUISH SQUASH SQUISHED is her first picture book. Her second picture book LITTLE RED WRITING HOOD is coming from Aladdin in Spring 2022.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Rebecca or her books, visit her online: RebeccaKraftRector.wordpress.com

Or follow her on social media:

@RebeccaKraftRector on Facebook

@RebeccaKRector on Instagram and Twitter

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of SQUISH SQUASH SQUISHED click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of SQUISH SQUASH SQUISHED? Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, May 6th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Sita Singh

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Sita Singh. Her debut picture book, BIRDS OF A FEATHER, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman, released this week with Philomel Books. I love the message of this book and the art is fantastic! A new picture book perfect for any collection.

So without further ado, please welcome Sita Singh!

Where do you live?

I was born and raised in India and moved to the United States in 1999. I have been living in the suburbs of South Florida since then. But my dream is to someday live in a small town where everything is walkable.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I was never a writer, but I was always a reader. I grew up reading illustrated stories from Panchatantra, Ramayana, and Mahabharat. These were mainly fables and mythological tales, and my favorite type of books to read as a child. Luckily, my husband also grew up reading illustrated stories in form of comic books. So when we moved to the United States, it was only natural for us to look for similar form of stories to read with our own children. While searching the libraries and book stores, we were both pleasantly surprised to have discovered the magical genre of “picture books”. Additionally, every time we went to India, we came back with stacks of illustrated stories. As a family, we enjoyed reading “stories with pictures”. I’d say the seed to becoming a picture book writer was planted early. But I didn’t take up writing until my children were much older and I felt the need to have a creative pursuit of my own. By that time, I had also discovered a lack of representation in children’s literature and was excited to explore the possibilities of writing illustrated stories. How hard can it be to write picture books? With that naïveté, I jumped into writing!

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

My road to publication wasn’t relatively long, but I wouldn’t call nine years, a short time either. As mentioned earlier, I jumped into writing without any knowledge about the craft. Initially, I was writing only in rhymes and my writing was all over the place. But once I discovered SCBWI, one thing led to another, and in 2014, I attended my first conference which left me in awe of the talent and resources the Kid Lit community had to offer. There, I also found my critique partners, and I clearly remember coming home with a zest to learn and connect. Soon, I was a participant of PiBoIdMo, 12 x12, Making Picture Book Magic, and Children’s Book Academy. And within no time, I felt confident enough to start seeking representation. Of course, I was wrong again! I got rejection after rejection, but I kept learning and revising, and in 2017, my story won the Florida SCBWI Rising Kite award. With that, I soon landed an agent, and in 2019, we sold Birds Of A Feather. 

Can you share a bit about your process?

When I have an idea, I start by studying mentor texts. As the idea brews in my head, words and lines come to me, and a story begins to take shape. I start with a synopsis. Of course, it changes through the process of writing, but a synopsis helps me stay on track. I write in long sentences and paragraphs, without any inhibition. It’s more like a story I’m telling myself. Then, with the process of elimination, I turn it into a picture book manuscript. I let it simmer for days and after a few revisions, I read it to my critique group. Their feedback helps me revise further, and once I’m happy with the story, I share it with my agent. 

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I step away from the computer and engage myself in other things I like to do—reading a book, trying a new recipe in my kitchen, styling and taking food pictures, or simply hanging out with the family helps me shake the rust off. In terms of getting new ideas, it hasn’t been a struggle, yet. I have a long list of ideas waiting to be explored. 

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

A water bottle, and a window.

I’m always armed with a water bottle and I have to be sitting by a window, when I write. 

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

This one is hard. There are so many! But if I had to pick, I’m inspired by the works of Jacqueline Woodson, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and Beth Ferry.  

Tell us about your debut book.

Birds of a Feather is the story of Mo, a colorless peacock who learns to love himself in a jungle full of color. It is a story about finding strength in the things that make us different, and beauty in all its forms. 

Interior art from BIRDS OF A FEATHER written by Sita Singh, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman

Interior art from BIRDS OF A FEATHER written by Sita Singh, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman

What’s up next for you?

I have two picture books on submission and I’m working on a few more manuscripts.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

When Harry Met Sally.

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Huge thank you to Sita for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut!

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SITA SINGH was born and raised in India, and moved to the United States in 1999. She currently lives in South Florida with her husband, three children, and an immensely cute and curious dog. An architect in the past, Sita now enjoys writing heartwarming picture books with a South Asian backdrop. When Sita isn’t reading or writing, she can be found trying new recipes in the kitchen, experimenting with food photography, walking with the dog, or movie-marathoning with the family. Her debut picture book, BIRDS OF A FEATHER, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman, will be published on March 2nd, 2021 by Philomel Books. Find out more about Sita on www.singhsita.com and connect with her on Instagram and Twitter @sitawrites.

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of BIRDS OF A FEATHER, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of BIRDS OF A FEATHER?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, March 11th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Jess Hernandez

Happy Thursday Critters! I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season! Today, we have an interview picture book author Jess Hernandez. Her debut book, FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum, releases with Capstone on January 1, 2021. I love that this book is a fresh take on a first day of school book— but with unicorns! It’s sure to be a big hit so make sure to check it out!

Without further ado, please welcome Jess Hernandez!

Where do you live?

I live in a little town in Western Washington. I grew up here, left, moved around, and wound up coming back.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

Growing up, I always liked writing, but I didn’t think I could make it a career. I’m diabetic, so health insurance was slightly more important than artistic fulfillment. But I grew to love picture books during my grad work in librarianship. There’s so much room for creativity within such a small space. When I got to a place in my life where I knew health insurance was taken care of, I let myself follow my passion.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

My first attempt at writing for publication was a memoir. I worked on it for three years, then queried for another year. I racked up 140 rejections before I trunked it. I was devastated. So much time and work and agony for nothing! 

I wasn’t sure I could commit myself to a longer work like that again, so I turned to picture books. With two kids at home, it was what I read most anyway. I found a critique partner, read all the new picture books I could get my hands on, and followed writers on Twitter. Most of all, I kept writing and querying and getting better. But each time an agent requested more work, they would like this manuscript but not that one. It was super discouraging. 

Eventually another writer noticed my pitch on Pitmad and invited me to be in their critique group. That was the turning point for me. I found my people. I kept writing and querying, but I knew my stuff was leveling up. There were more agent requests, but still more rejections. I felt like I was going to spend my life being good, but not quite good enough. 

I decided to query the unicorn book to every agent on my list and then trunk it. One of those agents was Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency. I almost didn’t send her the unicorn query because she so seldom takes on picture book authors. Plus, she’s repped some really IMPORTANT BOOKS (New York Times Bestseller and multi-award winner Dear Martin by Nic Stone, for example) and I didn’t think she’d like my silly story about a donkey with imposter syndrome. But she was on my list, so I sent it any way. Two months later, she emailed asking to set up a call.

Even then, it was still a struggle. In the 18 months I’d spent querying the book, the market was flooded with unicorn stories. Every rejection we got from editors was some version of “nice, but we’ve already got one.” I was content to shelve it until unicorns stopped being the picture book version of YA vampire novels, but Rena was convinced it was different enough to sell. And thank heavens, she was right.

Can you share a bit about your process?

My story ideas always come in chunks – there’s a character but no story. A mood but nothing else. I try to stay open to these story blips and write them down as they come. Sometimes it takes years for the rest of the story to materialize, but it’s almost always worth the wait. Once it comes, I can usually draft the whole picture book in one go. With longer things, I write scenes out of order as they come to me and try to connect the dots later.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I take a walk, talk to my kids, or take a shower. Sometimes I need those quiet moments to let my brain do its thing and come up with whatever crazy idea or plot hole solution it wants. Other times, interacting with my kids really helps me get on their level and see the world through new eyes. 

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I’m all about those cheap composition notebooks you get on sale in September. Every stupid idea, every plot hole fix, every genius line I have to write before I forget it goes in the notebook. It’s a mess and nobody would understand it but me, but I can’t function without it.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

There are SO MANY. Jacqueline Woodson is a genius and every single one of her books has changed my life in some way. I love Ame Dyckman’s work. She’s so effortlessly funny and has such a quirky way of looking at the world. I’m also a huge fan of Tara Lazar, both of her books and the work she does to lift other authors. Yuyi Morales is super talented. Julie Falatko is another that I really respect. She’s super funny and real. Traci Sorell’s books are all really poetic and beautiful. There’s more but I’ll stop there.

Dream project to work on?

I would love to branch out and try writing middle grade and YA. Right now, the one I’m dying to do is a middle grade about a group of girls having a sleepover when a crop circle appears in the field next door – something that actually happened in my town when I was 13.

 Tell us about your debut book.

FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL is the story of Milly, a donkey with dreams of attending the prestigious unicorn school. With a few creative photos in her application, she’s accepted and must make it through the school without anyone realizing what she really is: a donkey in a party hat.

What’s up next for you?

I have two picture books on sub right now, and I’m drafting a picture book about a little girl with sensory processing disorder who is obsessed with pirates. I also have an adult SFF short story coming out in the anthology DON’T TOUCH THAT!: An Anthology of Parenthood in Science Fiction and Fantasy, edited by Jaymee Goh.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

I love Princess Bride (though I wish Buttercup’s character wasn’t interchangeable with a lamp).

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Huge thank you to Jess for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on all your success!

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JESS HERNANDEZ is a writer, librarian, teacher and all-around word girl. When not being used as a human canvas for baby food art, she writes books for kids. Her debut book, FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum, comes out in Spring 2021 from Capstone. Sometimes she writes essays, poems, and short stories for grown-ups, too. Jess lives in a very small, very LOUD house in Washington with her husband, their three children, a blind Labrador, and seven chickens.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Jess or her work, visit her online, or follow her on social media:

Twitter @FinkHernandez

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, December 10th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Frank Tupta

Happy Thursday Critters! Today is a very exciting day! TODAY I’m interviewing my husband, Frank Tupta. Most of you know Frank as the other half of Critter Lit. He helps me handle all the critiques we get and run the site. But today we are celebrating his new book!

His debut picture book, HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE, illustrated by Kyle Beckett, comes out with Two Lions this month. I love this book so much. And I say that not as Frank’s wife, but as the mom of three boys, who this book is tailor made for. It’s funny, silly, and oh so clever. Kyle’s art truly brings the story to life— I’m not sure which spread is my favorite!

As you know, this is a really tough business to break into and survive in. I have worked in publishing for the last ten years, and let me tell you, it is completely different to watch someone you love go through the trials and tribulations of this business with a full understanding of what it all means. To say I’m proud of Frank and his debut book would be an understatement. We work together on nearly every manuscript, going back and forth and helping edit each other’s work. I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without him. I’m thrilled his debut book is finally coming out and I can’t wait for all of you to see how fantastic it is! Okay, I’m done gushing now….

Without further ado, please welcome Frank Tupta!

Where do you live?
I am snuggled in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?
I never actually wanted to do children’s books. My first foray into writing started in the medical business as an EMT. It was then followed by the appraisal business, assessing personal property. I wrote my first novel series in a month in downtime between jobs. Since then, I’ve been trying to break in wherever I could. After eight novels and zero interest, I decided to try my hand at a kid’s story. I thought about what I would’ve wanted to see as a kid. Then I realized that may’ve been a little too psychotic (child of the ’80s— that was a different time). So I tapered back some and thought more of what my kids would like to see and found a happy medium. And that’s how I came up with How to Build A Haunted House.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?
It has been a bumpy road, and that road continues. Never a dull moment, with the exception of the down time trying to figure out new ideas. There are constant ups and downs. Phases of grieving post rejection and finding a way to get after it again. I will say those initial phases where you have to thicken your skin are the toughest. Being sensitive about your work is something I would think everyone struggles with, myself included. Being angry after a bad review or a rejection is comforting but only for so long. Eventually, you just move on to the next one. I think that’s when you know you’re battle-hardened, and it’s something more people should face. You don’t know who you are until someone crushes you and you get back up.

Can you share a bit about your process?
Oh, the process. I wish I could say it was always the same. The one thing I can say is a constant for me is listening. Listening is the best way to hear what is going on in the world around you. Some like to talk; I like to listen. Listen to kids, listen to adults, listen to politicians (okay, maybe don’t listen to politicians). I was told once, let no man be your enemy, and let every man be your teacher. Hearing the bounce and melody in people’s voices is key to finding your own rhythm and voice. Another thing for me is music is key. Music is something I’ve always loved. If you can sing, I have nothing but praise for you. My mom was a singer; it could be where I get my rhythm in my rhyming pattern.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
The key to shaking off rust is never stopping. If you fight through terrible writing, then rust is an edit or a delete away. This writing will be terrible. It will make you question your choices in life, but you can always learn something from it. How to Build A Haunted House came on the heel of a crime fiction novel series I was working on. That’s just how it happens sometimes. New ideas come from anywhere and anything. Architecture, nature, farms, the grocery store, the old man in a hat doing 25 in a 50. You don’t know when that sledgehammer of creative exuberance is going to smash you right over the head, and you have the next great idea.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?
Music and headphones. If there is any other kind of noise, I can’t write anything. Some people can do radio or books on tape— no, not me, never. There’s a time to listen, and there’s a time to go into autopilot.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
Early wake-ups, a priming routine of pull-ups, pushups, and sit-ups. And Most recently, I’ve made a switch from coffee to tea. This was mind-blowing for my friends. But I also didn’t start drinking coffee until I was 30.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?
I grew up with Syd Hoff, Steven Kellogg, and Maurice Sendak. For me, they are the greatest. In the current market, I don’t think you can beat Julie Fogliano. Honestly though, I get most of my inspiration from film and music. Oh, and children under the age of 5. They have the best ideas, the smallest filter, and they are relentless.

Dream project to work on?
My dream project would be a middle-grade thriller/adventure/mystery graphic novel. Think Goonies. I know— I try to think of it all the time.

Tell us about your debut book.
My debut picture book titled HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE brings the world of classic horror movie monsters into the real world. Well, maybe not the real world, but they have real-world jobs. They are owner/operators of their own contracting businesses, and when a Vampire Family is chased out of their house by zombie garlic plants, the town monsters work together to build them a new house. It’s trucks, it’s monsters, it’s chainsaws and tools, and a shrunken head wind chime. It rhymes, and it’s awesome. Shout out to Kyle Beckett for an outstanding job illustrating my text.

What’s up next for you?
As anyone who’s got one book knows, you’re only as good as the second one, and then the third one and then the fourth one, and so on, and so on. Right now, I’m working on a graphic novel series idea with my wife.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?
Never join the pity party when you’re down and never smell the perfume when you’re up.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?
This is by far the hardest question you have asked. There’s a massive part of me that wants to drop Tango and Cash right here, right now, but I won’t. There’s also Predator which I could watch any day at any time. But I’m going to have to say Beetlejuice. Judge how you will.

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Huge thank you to Frank for sharing with us on Critter Lit today! Congrats on your wonderful book!

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FRANK TUPTA (TUP like UP) grew up in a haunted house in Cleveland. His favorite holiday is Halloween. He still dresses up every year. He currently lives in Peninsula, Ohio surrounded by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park with his wife, children's book author + illustrator Lindsay Ward, their three boys, and Sally, a rambunctious pit-bull\lab mix who keeps things interesting by chasing coyotes in their backyard.

If you'd like to know more about small Frank and the kind of shenanigans he used to get into, read BROBARIANS by his wife, Lindsay. The character Otto is based on him.

Most days you can find Frank writing, walking Sally with his family, driving around on his tractor, or co-running www.critterlit.com with his wife, a website offering free critiques and advice for up-and-coming authors and illustrators.

For more information about Frank, visit him online at www.uptasomething.com or follow him on social media:

Twitter: @FTupta

BUY THIS BOOK To pre-order a copy of Frank’s debut picture book, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a SIGNED copy of HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, July 16th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Ashley Franklin

Happy Thursday Critters! Today, I’m thrilled to feature debut author Ashley Franklin! Her new picture book, NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE, illustrated by Ebony Glenn, released this past July with HarperCollins. I love the story, message, and charming illustrations in this book, which I think Kirkus Reviews sums up perfectly:

“A feel-good picture book and a great reminder that classic princess roles can be reimagined to embrace inclusion, diversity, and body positivity.”

So without further ado…please welcome Ashley Franklin!

Where do you live?

I currently live in northwest Arkansas. 

When did you know you wanted to write/illustrate picture books?

I didn’t know I wanted to seriously write children’s books until I had kids of my own. I wanted to write books that had characters that looked like them and their family members. I also wanted to write books that I felt I needed as a kid.

Can you share a bit about your process?

I’m a work from home mom, so my process is probably a bit unorthodox for most. For example, I don’t write every day. I spend a lot of time thinking things over in my head and taking notes on my phone.

I’m still trying to get the hang of waking up early to write, but I do find that I am most productive once the kids are in bed and I’ve chugged some coffee.

I’m a quick writer and a slow reviser when it comes to picture books because those early drafts are really me compiling those mental and phone notes and seeing what comes of them.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Honestly, I do two things: watch cartoons and consult with my kids. I watch cartoons to check out popular themes and see how they’re tackled and why they worked. My kids are in elementary school, so their perception of things is still pretty spectacular.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

A good pen! I prefer to draft using pen and paper, but I cannot stand a pen that doesn’t write smoothly!

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Tara Lazar—I admire people who can be funny on purpose. That’s not my gift at all!

Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow—I love her way with imagery. She’s very detail oriented and can really paint a picture. Reading her work challenges me to slow down and really be more deliberate with imagery in my own work.

Vashti Harrison—Everything she does is ridiculously gorgeous. She’s just amazing. That’s not much more you can say.

Dream project to work on?

That’s a tough call. I don’t really have an answer for that because right now I feel like any project I’m working on passionately is a dream project.

Tell us about your debut book.

NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE features a talented young girl named Tameika who is great at singing, dancing, and acting. Tameika auditions for the lead role of Princess Snow White in her school’s musical because it’s one of the few roles she hasn’t played and Snow White is her favorite princess. Unfortunately, Tameika’s confidence is shaken when her peers question if she is right for the part because of her appearance. Tameika has to decide if she will let what others say keep her from pursuing her dream role.

What’s up next for you?

I’m continuing to write picture books, but I’m expanding into middle grade. The middle grade bug bit me thanks to a middle grade short story I wrote as a contributor to an upcoming middle grade anthology. It’s called Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices and is scheduled to be released May 5, 2020.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie? 

Umm...I was born in the 80s, so I’d have to go with a movie I remember most vividly, and that’s Oliver & Company.

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Huge thank you to Ashley for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut book— we can’t wait to see what comes next for you!

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ASHLEY FRANKLIN is a writer, mother, and adjunct college professor. Ashley received her M.A. from the University of Delaware in English Literature, where she reaffirmed her love of writing but realized she had NO IDEA what she wanted to do about it. Ashley currently resides in Arkansas with her family. Her debut picture book, NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE, was released July 9, 2019 by Harper Collins.

 FOR MORE INFORMATION about Ashley visit her online: www.ashleyfranklinwrites.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @differentashley

Instagram: @ashleyfranklinwrites

Facebook: Ashley Franklin

TO ORDER Ashley’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, August 29th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Ishta Mercurio

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with debut author Ishta Mercurio. I’m thrilled to have her with us today and I can’t wait for you to hear about her wonderful debut picture book, SMALL WORLD, illustrated by Jen Corace, which will release with Abrams Books for Young Readers on July 2nd.

So without further ado…please welcome Ishta Mercurio!

Where do you live?

I live in Brampton, Ontario! I haven't always lived here, though. I grew up in Cincinnati, OH. I come from a long line of people who moved around.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I've always loved storytelling, and I studied theater in college. There was something about using my whole self--my body, my gestures, my facial expressions, my voice--to tell a character's story that I really loved. But when I had kids, I realized that paying someone to look after them was going to cost more than I was earning! So I decided to stop working for a while and stay home with my littles. I read to them every night at bedtime, and I fell in love with the storytelling in picture books: the rhythm of the language captivated me, and the way the words and pictures came together to make something that is greater than the sum of their parts is an alchemy that I had to be a part of.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

Reading! I didn't know the first thing about how to get published, so I googled it. This is what's so great about living in the 21st century--you can google how to do almost ANYTHING! So I googled it, and I read a whole bunch of blogs by agents (like Nathan Bransford and Rachelle Gardner) and writers (like Shannon Messenger and Casey McCormick and Shannon O'Donnell and Debbie Ohi), and I joined SCBWI and CANSCAIP (which is like SCBWI, but Canadian), and I invested a lot of time (years!) in learning how the industry works.

I also learned very quickly that my writing was not very good, but I knew that that was okay because you can improve as a writer, so I focused on doing that. I joined critique groups through SCBWI. I took a class in writing for children at the University of Toronto. I became part of the community of kidlit writers in the Toronto area. I went to conferences where I paid for my work to be critiqued, and I kept revising and writing new things until the rejections I got sounded less like one-line form rejections and more like "I loved these things about your story, but this part just isn't working." Meanwhile, a friend from my critique group was writing non-fiction in a series for a publisher, and she asked me if I wanted to write the next non-fiction book in the series with her, so I did, and that was great. It was my first experience working with a publisher, but I was doing it with someone who had worked with them before, and that was really valuable.

And then eventually, an agent pulled my query for a chapter book out of the slush and loved it and asked to see more and loved that, and we met and I knew that I wanted her on my team. She really got me, which is important. You want an agent who really gets you and who absolutely loves your work. And the thing is: that chapter book still hasn't sold, but the next thing she sent out did. And that book is SMALL WORLD. So even after all that, you have to know and accept that rejection is part of the process, throughout your career. And that's okay. Write the next thing.

Can you share a bit about your process?

I usually get an idea that's just a seed, and I write that down--just a sentence or two--and let it marinate for a while. Then I jot down ideas and doodle until I think I have enough to make a story, and then I write out what I call a "bare bones" draft: it's mostly flat, language-wise, with maybe a couple phrases that touch on the lyricism or whatever tone I'm going for, but it has the basic plot. And then I doodle some more, and think about what layers I can build in, and at that point I write one sentence that encompasses the heart of the story, and I tape that to my desk where I can see it while I work through the multiple drafts it takes to get the story right. It's like my compass: it keeps me heading in the right direction.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I read a lot, and I watch movies. I take walks and garden and watch the bugs do their thing. I catch up on the news. Mostly, though, I go out in the world, to museums or to parks, and I just take it in. And I have conversations with people about things that have nothing to do with writing children's books. Ideas are everywhere; you just have to be open to them.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Coffee! But everyone probably says that. I also have a process book, and that's where I write early drafts and doodle and work out niggles in my manuscripts. Even when I reach the type-it-all-out stage, I like to have my process book close by.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Oh, gosh--so many! It would be easier to list the ones who don't, but that would be mean.

I love Marla Frazee's work; her illustrative style is just so gorgeous, and at the same time, so rooted in the messy reality of childhood. She's amazing. I am in awe of Angie Thomas and S. K. Ali, whose books feel so effortless (even though I know they take A LOT of work!). Ekua Holmes' experiments with different illustrative styles and art techniques is blowing me away. Linda Sue Park and Kate DiCamillo both wrote books that made me want to be a better writer. And John Green's books always feel like home.

Dream project to work on?

I have a HUGE bucket list, but one of the things on it is to write a wordless picture book. I know that sounds contradictory, and it's hard to pull it off, but there's no fun without a challenge, right?

Tell us about your debut book.

SMALL WORLD follows Nanda from the day she is born, wrapped in the circle of her mother's arms, right up until the day she goes to the Moon and looks back at the Earth from far away. It's about wonder, and the amazing places your explorations can take you. It's about dreaming big for your future, and finding your place in the vastness of the Universe. It's my love letter to this planet, which is our shared home and which contains innumerable wonders. And it's about joy. Jen Corace illustrated it, and it's a match made in heaven. My editor is a genius for pairing Jen's art with my words.

What’s up next for you?

I'm not allowed to say yet, but I sure hope everyone likes it!

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

The Princess Bride, of course!

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Huge thank you to Ishta for stopping by Critter Lit today! We can’t wait for your debut to come out! Congrats!

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ISHTA MERCURIO is an author and actor. Raised in Cincinnati by an Irish-German-Italian-American father and a Polish-American-Filipino mother, she has traveled to England, Scotland, Italy, France, and all over the United States. She now lives in Brampton, Ontario, where she films and photographs plants and wildlife, from the tall to the small, in her backyard. Small World is her debut picture book. Find her online at www.ishtamercurio.com, on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/theoneandonlyishta/ , on twitter at @IshtaWrites and on instagram at @ishtamercurio.

TO ORDER Ishta’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a SIGNED copy of SMALL WORLD?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, June 20th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Jamie L. B. Deenihan

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with debut picture book author Jamie L. B. Deenihan! Her debut book, WHEN GRANDMA GIVES YOU A LEMON TREE, illustrated by Lorraine Rocha, just released with Sterling Publishing earlier this month AND received a starred review from Kirkus!!! So exciting! I’m thrilled to have her visit us today and share her wonderful work with you all.

So without further ado…please welcome Jamie L. B. Deenihan!

Where do you live?

I live in Suffield, Connecticut very near the family farm I grew up on. I live with my husband, two children, and our dog, Max, in a house filled with books and a growing collection of lemon trees.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

Although I’ve always loved to read and write stories, I don’t remember setting goals to become a published author when I was a kid. I do remember wanting to be a veterinarian, until the day I observed a cow’s stomach surgery and quickly decided teaching would be a better fit. I grew up and became a first-grade teacher and a mom who was immersed in picture books for most of the day and I absolutely loved it! It was in those years of teaching full-time and raising two young children that I decided I wanted to publish a book someday. In 2014, my husband and I went to a free library workshop where I received tips about how to become an author. That’s the day I officially set a goal of getting published and I’ve been working at it ever since!

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

Here’s the abbreviated version of my journey to my first picture book deal:

January 2014 – attended a free workshop at my town library and decided I wanted to publish a book someday

March 2015 – wrote the first draft of When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree

*Between March 2015 and February 2016, I was submitting multiple manuscripts to agents and editors and received several rejections.

February 2016 – submitted the manuscript to Sterling Publishing through the slush pile.

Early March 2016 – Sterling Editor, Christina Pulles, asked for a R&R (revise and resubmit)

Late March 2016 – revised and resubmitted to Sterling and while waiting for their response, received more rejections from agents and editors

April 2016 – continued waiting and received more rejections from agents and editors

June 2016 – received an offer from Sterling and signed with my agent, Linda Camacho

March 5, 2019 – release date for my debut picture book, When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree

Can you share a bit about your process for your debut picture book?

In 2015, I started writing down some thoughts for this story in one of my journals. Then, I wrote a terrible first draft (yay!) and started the revision process with my amazing critique partners. Although this manuscript didn’t go through major revisions, it took about 30 drafts to play around with the POV and carefully choose each word. After I had a solid draft complete, I wrote the sentences on post-it notes and used them to create a book dummy to test the page turns. That’s pretty much the same process that I’ve gone through with each of the five manuscripts that I’ve sold so far.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I have two young children and I work part-time at a preschool, so I am constantly surrounded with inspiration and I love fleshing out new story ideas with my husband and children. My critique partners played a huge role in helping me polish my manuscripts. I am grateful to have critique partners who care about my stories as much as I do, and I look forward to celebrating their books when they hit the shelves.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Comfy clothes, a cozy chair, post it notes, mechanical pencils, dark chocolate, tea, and cheese popcorn are a few of the things that make me happy when writing. My favorite time to write is with my kids, but my most productive time to write is very late at night when everyone is asleep, and the house is quiet.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple are two of the most hard-working, kind, knowledgeable, and inspiring authors I know. In 2017, I had the privilege of attending their Picture Book Boot Camp at Jane Yolen’s home which has been one of the highlights of my writing career. 

Dream project to work on?

Working on my projects with Sterling, Penguin, and Avenue A Books have all been dreams come true. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with the talented editors at each house as well as the illustrators who brought each manuscript to life. I don’t really have my sights set on a specific publishing house or editor because I believe, with the help of my agent, Linda Camacho, my manuscripts will end up with the right person, at the right place, at the right time.  

Tell us about your debut book.

When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree, was recently honored with a starred review from Kirkus. I think Kirkus did a wonderful job describing my debut picture book, so here it is:

“Gardening tips abound in this delightful guide to caring for a lemon tree. The unnamed protagonist has a carefully drawn-out list of acceptable electronics she wants for her birthday. But Grandma instead brings…gasp…a lemon tree. The second-person text covers appropriate and inappropriate reactions and then advises readers to accept the potted present politely and wait for Grandma to leave or take a nap. Then you definitely shouldn’t: drop it from a bridge, send it aloft with balloons, or ‘play ding dong ditch’ with it (all illustrated with wry understatement). Instead, the narrator offers some incredibly important do’s: put the fruit tree ‘in a sunny spot’ (the grassy verge between sidewalk and street), don’t overwater it, and ‘battle against intruders’ who seem to come from all directions. After nearly a year of caring for her reluctantly received sapling, the protagonist joyously picks her lush lemons, and Grandma even returns to help make some fresh lemonade, the sale of which leads to more plants for her burgeoning garden. Rocha’s colors and characters leap right off the page, encouraging readers to get out into the world and create life, beauty, and some great-tasting lemonade (recipe included). The community is diverse and urban, with no lack of personality and detail. The protagonist and Grandma are both black, she with black pigtail puffs and Grandma with a white poof of hair. Charms from cover to cover.” —Kirkus (Starred review)

What’s up next for you?

As of this June, I am resigning from my part-time preschool teaching position to pursue writing full-time. I would like to have several more manuscripts out on submission by the fall and I’m also looking forward to booking more author’s visits at schools, libraries, bookshops, and other venues. My upcoming picture books include:

The New Bird in Town, illustrated by Carrie Hartman (Avenue A Books June 2019)

The Tooth Fairy VS. Santa, illustrated by Erin Hunting (Penguin Workshop fall 2019) *available for preorder now!

The Tooth Fairy VS. The Easter Bunny, illustrated by Erin Hunting (Penguin Workshop spring 2020)

When Grandpa Gives You a Toolbox, illustrated by Lorraine Rocha (Sterling spring 2020)

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Footloose!

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Huge thanks to Jamie for stopping by Critter Lit today! We can’t wait to check out all your wonderful books!

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Jamie L. B. Deenihan is a teacher and picture book author who lives in Suffield, Connecticut with her husband and two children. Her debut picture book, When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree, illustrated by Lorraine Rocha, is now available for purchase everywhere.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Jamie and her work visit her website or follow her on Twitter @jlbdeenihan or Instagram @jlbdeenihan.

TO ORDER Jamie’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of WHEN GRANDMA GIVES YOU A LEMON TREE?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, March 21st! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Lindsay Leslie

Happy Thursday Critters! Welcome back! It’s 2019 and I am so excited about all the interviews we have lined up on Critter Lit this year. We are kicking off the year with a debut author whose book, which comes out next month, has the best title of the year…I’m callin’ it! I can’t wait for you all to check out THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS (great title right? Told ya!)

So without further ado…please welcome Lindsay Leslie!

Where do you live?

I live in the great city of Austin, Texas! Trying to keep it weird over here. (The city’s motto is Keep Austin Weird, in case you all don’t know.)

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

Not too long ago. I can be a bit slow about understanding what should be my path, and what works for my personality and my talents, but I get there in a very roundabout way. It was toward the end of 2014 when I connected the dots between my ability and love of writing, my love for being creative in some form or fashion, and my adoration of children and how they see the world. The idea smacked me in the face one evening when I was riffing a.k.a. making up a story on the fly to my son. After I said “the end,” I picked up a picture book off his floor and that’s when the smack happened. Helllooooo, Lindsay! You should write for children!!!

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

It involved study of the form and finding out where I needed to be in terms of children’s literature. I started out writing chapter books. I have a series I created based on the stories I made up and told my kids at their nightly bedtime tuck-ins. I have since put those in my electronic drawer to simmer. I moved on to picture books and felt that I connected with the challenge and the focus of creating a story that packs a punch but in very few words. I became obsessed with finding the right words and playing with rhythm and pacing. I also tried out a middle grade novel and became a bit exhausted. It was a lot. I haven’t given up, but for now, it’s in my electronic drawer of goodies.

So, I kept my mind focused on picture books. I wrote and created as much as I could and I learned from those before me. The amount of fantastic knowledge and how it’s given so willingly has always been overwhelming to me. I often think about how I can pay that forward. Anyway, I soaked in all I could and read so many picture books. I also joined supportive children’s literature groups with vaults of knowledge, including SCBWI Austin and 12x12. Also, I found a bunch of wonderful writers who wanted to form a writing group. We lean on each other for everything.

When I was ready to find an agent, I turned to querying traditionally and was a BIG FAN of all the various contests and pitch events on Twitter that seek to connect writers and illustrators with agents and editors. It’s a great way to get immediate feedback on queries and concepts. Back in March 2017, I decided to participate in #pitmad on Twitter, which is a huge pitch event covering all genres--everything and anything. I’ve participated in #pitmad a couple of times, and I’ve always wondered whether picture books get lost in the scrolling madness of YA and adult novels. I’m glad I didn’t give up. I pitched four of my picture book manuscripts, and I only got one “favorite” that day. But, it was the only one I needed. That favorite came from Kristen Nobles, children’s publisher with Page Street Kids. A month and a half later, I received an email from Associate Editor Charlotte Wenger at Page Street requesting an R&R (revise and resubmit). I worked with Charlotte back and forth for the next month and a half to see if I could shape THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS into a picture book Page Street Kids would want to publish. And it worked! I received an offer directly from Page Street.

With an offer in hand, I was referred to Red Fox Literary via a literary connection and connected to Stephanie Fretwell-Hill, who offered representation. 

Can you share a bit about your process?

Oh, it’s a silly process without much science behind it, but it works for me! And, isn’t that what it comes down to? What works for you. So, I wait for my muse. I wait for an idea to pole vault into my noggin’ and if I’m paying attention, I’ll stop in my tracks and have to write down the idea. I’ve got a long running list of those ideas in my phone. Then I pay attention (there’s a lot of that) to the idea that keeps marching in a very belligerent manner through my mind. The idea that just won’t give up. If an idea is doing that, I know I have to explore it on the page. 

Next, I write the horrible first draft, or at least I try to allow myself to do that. Sometimes I can be such an over-editor at the beginning. I let that horrible first draft, or how ever many words I’m able to get down, sit. And, I let it sit for as long as it needs … until it calls me back. Then I go back to it and rewrite or complete the draft. I’d say I do this over and over again until I feel it’s ready for extra eyeballs, and those would be the eyeballs of my trusted critique partners. I make sure to run my work by quite a few people and see what the common pain points are—what’s working, what’s not. I edit and edit and edit, and then I pass it on to my agent. Then I edit and edit and edit. This line of business and creative works takes a lot of patience. By that, I mean patience for yourself.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I don’t have one prescribed thing I do besides give myself time. I don’t berate myself for not being at the keyboard knocking out new stories all the time or editing, editing, editing every day. I do cheer myself on when I am able to do the work, when I am inspired by an idea, and when I make any forward progress. I acknowledged and keep chugging forward. It takes a lot of listening to yourself and a lot of patience. 

But when I really throw a brain cell at what I’m doing during those idea-creating moments, I can nail down two ways I come up with ideas: creating associations and active sensing.

1. Creating associations: I let my mind wander and investigate topics I love and that intrigue me. I love asking what-if questions and I make sure I don’t edit my mind and direct its creative investigation. I just keep letting it think and go, even if it goes in a weird direction. And it almost always does. THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS was definitely born from one of those associative moments—an idea that came forward from stepping on my son’s picture book and the ideas that sprang forward from my childhood experiences with anxiety.

2. Active sensing: I say active sensing, but it’s a living-in-the-moment-and-being-present thing. I actively observe with all of my senses. The two senses I lean on most: listening and looking. Yes, really listen to your kids when they talk about Pokemon, because it may give you an idea that ends up in a book deal (a.k.a. my next picture book NOVA THE STAR EATER). Yes, do some people watching. I get so much quality material watching people go about their daily lives. One of the best places for material, the school cafeteria. Watching how the children interact with each other and hearing some of their conversations. It’s a creative gold mine!

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Not really, no. OK, I’m kind of lying. I do love to break for a snack or lunch. It’s kind of something I look forward to. I love food. Oh, I do. But while I’m writing? Hmmm...I need my desktop computer or laptop. But I can be anywhere. I don’t have to be at a certain place or have a certain desk or chair. When I’m focused, I’m way focused. Maybe too much. I can have background noise, music, or not. Kids screaming around me or not. I’m very laid back and flexible that way. What I can’t be without is a great idea that takes me to that story in my mind where I can’t be distracted and I want to stay and play.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

How long is this blog? I could go for days on this. I’ve been inspired by so many. I’ll stick with the authors who shaped me as a kiddo … Judy Blume, Roald Dahl, Beverly Cleary. The trifecta. These authors were my childhood. Hands down. I feel they are a combo of relatable and quirky. That’s where I like to be with my writing. 

Dream project to work on?

Each project I’ve done has been a dream, so don’t wake me up. And, it’s been dreamy to work hand-in-hand with my editor, Charlotte Wenger at Page Street Kids. I trust her feedback implicitly. We seem to really get each other and have a fantastic creative/working relationship. 

Someday, I would like to finish that middle grade novel. That’s my carrot I’m chasing. It’s an odd, quirky thing, and a hard one to write. I was told it would be really difficult to do, but to me that sounds like a challenge, and I love a challenge. One way to get me to accomplish a goal is to tell me I can’t do it. 

Tell us about your debut book.

Oh, THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS …  and wary … and absolutely unadventurous, and is freaking out about what story might be on its pages. The book takes the reader on a journey of its fears, navigating the book’s possible contents together. With each page turn, the book becomes a bit braver. The book is multi-layered and incorporates the five senses, multiple literary genres, and various book parts. Ultimately, the relationship between book and reader brings everything together.

I’m so glad it’s my debut picture book. I’ve battled with anxiety for the majority of my life, so I’m well-versed in what anxiety feels like and how these emotions can get the best of us. This sweet, anxious book mimics what we all feel when anxiety comes rushing in. That heightened state and then the slow realization that we aren’t in immediate danger and we aren’t alone, so the calming begins. 

What’s up next for you?

Lots! THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS hits the shelves on Feb. 19, and I’m looking forward to the book launch at BookPeople in Austin on Feb. 23 (at 2 p.m.!) and celebrating with everyone. On May 21, I will usher in my next book, NOVA THE STAR EATER (Page Street Kids), illustrated by John Taesoo Kim. Then, in summer 2020, WANTED: DUSK RAIDERS (Page Street Kids) will release. In the meantime, I keep creating and having a blast connecting with the wonderful folks of the kidlit world! Also, keep an eye out for the debut picture book authors and author/illustrators of New In Nineteen. There’s so much unbelievable talent in that group. Check out the website at www.newin19.weebly.com. 

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! 

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Thanks so much for stopping by Critter Lit today Lindsay! We can’t wait to see your fantastic books out in the world!

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A diary keeper, a journalism major, a public relations executive, a children’s author—Lindsay Leslie has always operated in a world of written words. Her debut picture book, THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS (Page Street Kids/illustrated by Alice Brereton), releases on Feb. 19, 2019. Her blog A Book and a Pie reviews picture books and pairs them with fitting pie recipes. Lindsay lives with her husband, two young boys, and two fur-beasts in Austin.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Lindsay and her work visit her website: lindsayleslie.com or follow her on Twitter @lleslie | Instagram @lindsaylesliewrites

TO ORDER Lindsay’s debut book, ring up your local bookstore, or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, January 24th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with debut author Meera Sriram!